Devine Scripture

Luke 10:17

What does Luke 10:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:17 means

The seventy return joyfully, reporting to Jesus that even demons were subject to them in his name. Their report shows the success and power of the mission: spiritual authority over demons accompanied the proclamation. Their joy stems from miraculous results and confirmation that Jesus’ authority operates through them. The verse reveals the immediacy of spiritual conflict and victory, and it shows the disciples’ focus on power and signs as proof of their commission’s effectiveness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the seventy came back with joy, saying, Lord, even the evil spirits are under our power in your name.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the seventy turned back with joy, saying, `Sir, and the demons are being subjected to us in thy name;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying: Lord, the devils also are subject to us in thy name.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through thy name.

Context

This report follows Jesus’ teaching about the authority of his messengers. The disciples’ joy confirms the mission’s effectiveness described earlier—healing and casting out demons. The next verses show Jesus’ perspective on their report: he interprets their success in cosmic terms and redirects their joy to a lasting spiritual reality—names written in heaven—while praising the Father for revealing truth to the humble.

v.16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.

v.17This passage

v.18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 9:1

    And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

  • Romans 16:20

    And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

  • Mark 16:17

    And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

  • Luke 10:1

    Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.

  • Luke 10:9

    and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

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